Integrated electric fan and patio umbrella

ABSTRACT

An electric fan and patio umbrella combination. The device uses an electric fan mounted as a integral part of a patio umbrella. The umbrella fabric is open at the top exposing the fan to direct air from above. This direct exposure to an air source is what gives the device its high volume of air flow. Since the fan support structure is a part of the upper umbrella support structure, the umbrella can be raised or lowered around the fan blades without the need to hinge the blades up or down, therefore allowing the umbrella to fold. This is accomplished by the use of an upper support ring that provides an outer hinge point for the upper umbrella rib supports. The fan blades block most sunlight from entering the fabric opening at the top, however an additional fabric cover is provided that may be pulled over the opening if desired.

[0001] This application claims benefit of Provisional Application60/266,492 filed Feb. 6, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an electric fan and patioumbrella combination.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] The invention is designed to provide the movement of air under apatio umbrella during periods when natural air circulation isinsufficient to provide comfort. All prior art most closely related tothis invention, including U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,188 to Benton, U.S. Pat.No. 5,007,811 to Hopkins and U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,881 to Covington haveincorporated a design concept that mounts a fan directly under theumbrella. Complicated and difficult to manufacture devices ( such asfolding blades ) have been proposed to allow the umbrella to be foldeddown during periods of non use or the unit is not capable of beinglowered at all. The primary drawback however, of all prior art is theinability to create sufficient air flow to accomplish the desiredcooling effect. This is due to the opened umbrella blocking the airmovement created by the fan. Sufficient clearance between the umbrellafabric and the fan blades must be provided in order to achieve theresults claimed. These factors are believed to be the primary reasonswhy a device of this nature has not been successfully introduced to themarket

[0006] As will be seen, the present invention eliminates the need forcomplicated mechanical components and achieves maximum effectiveness ofthe cooling fan by exposing the fan blades to the air.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] This invention solves the problem of blocked air flow seen inother designs and simplifies the process of opening and closing theumbrella. By mounting a variable speed or three speed radial fandirectly into the frame of the umbrella and creating an opening in thetop so that air can be forced downward towards the table, sufficient airflow is provided.

[0008] The fan support structure and umbrella structure are designed asa single unit so that adequate strength can be achieved. The metal orwood umbrella rib supports are attached to the outer circumference ofthe circular fan support , these rib supports are connected to a cordand pulley system that draw the umbrella closed or open around the fanstructure. This simple system is easy to manufacture and provides a lowcost and effective solution to prior art complications.

[0009] Having an opening in the top of the umbrella, exposing the fanblades to the air is what gives this device the exceptional volume ofair flow. A multi bladed fan of various diameters is used, depending onultimate umbrella size. The fan motor is an electric weather proofdevice controlled by a variable speed or three speed switch mounted inthe umbrella support pole, at a convenient height for ease of operation.The fan blades being mounted in the opening of the umbrella toptypically provide adequate protection from the sun and other elementsthat may exist. If additional protection is desired an additional pulleysystem is provided so that a cover can be drawn over the opening. Whenthis additional cover is in use however, minimum air flow can beexpected out of the fan. The electric supply line can be furnishedthrough a top mounted cord or through a bottom mounted cord that runsthrough the center of the umbrella pole. This device is also used onpole mounted umbrellas that have poles offset from center.

[0010] Additional features of the invention include being able to fitthe integrated fan and umbrella combination through a patio tablesupport hole, rope mood lighting with dimmer switch and a water foggersystem for additional cooling.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 shows the integrated fan and umbrella with table

[0012]FIG. 2 shows a top view of the open top with exposed fan

[0013]FIG. 3 shows the unit in a folded configuration

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, the fan/umbrella support structure (3) (topportion not shown) is connected to the circular support ring (20) andthe umbrella ribbing (19). The weather proof fan motor (2) is connectedto the fan support shaft (12) which is then connected to the umbrellasupport pole (10) . The connection to the support pole (10) is securedby placing the lower motor support shaft (12) into a tightly fittedlower shaft bushing (27). The top side of the fan motor (2) has an uppersupport shaft (29), which is connected to an upper shaft bushing (28)that anchors into the upper portion of the fan support structure (3)(not shown in this figure) on the top side. Multiple fan blades (1) arethen attached to the fan motor (2). The number of fan blades (1) willvary depending on the aerodynamic requirements specific to each umbrellasize and aesthetic desires of the individual user. An additional weatherproof protection for the fan motor (2) is provided by placing a circularmotor cover (23) over it. This configuration results in an umbrella withan open top (25) free of any umbrella fabric (4), which allows a highvolume of air flow through and onto the table top (16) below, whichcould not be achieved by prior art. By having the upper support ribs(19) of the umbrella secured to the upper support ring (20) such thatthey rotate around it, the umbrella can be raised or lowered with theuse of the umbrella control handle (7). This is done without the needfor complicated hinges and springs connected to the fan blades (1) asrequired in most prior art, or the complete removal of the umbrella fromthe fan post as proposed by Benton.

[0015] Power is supplied to the fan motor (2) by running electric wiring(23) though the center of the support pole (10) and out the bottom to aplug (11) or out the top to an alternate plug (13). The alternatelocation is provided for those that prefer to have overhead power, thusavoiding any ground interference from a connecting cord. The fan motor(2) speed can be controlled with the variable speed or multi speedswitch (8) mounted on the support pole (10). The fan motor (2) can bereversed to create an updraft, if decreased are flow is desired, by theuse of the fan direction switch (26). Additionally the electric wiring(23) can be used to power rope lighting (5) that is attached to theunderside of the upper umbrella ribs (19). This lighting can becontrolled by adjusting the lighting system dimmer switch (9) mounted ata convenient height on the support pole (10).

[0016] For additional cooling a water fogging system can be installed onthe unit, the fog is created by running water through tubing (24) thatis hidden inside the support pole (10). The tubing (24) terminates atthe top end by connecting to multiple nozzles (6) mounted below thelower shaft bushing (27) and into the support pole (10). The tubingterminates at the lower end with a valve (14) to which the externalwater source is connected.

[0017] The umbrella can be lowered in a conventional manner by rotatingthe umbrella control handle (7), which allows the lower support ribbing(22) to be moved up or down on the umbrella support structure slide (18)to which they are attached. The upper ribbing (19) is covered withfabric (4), with the exception of the open top (25), to shed water orsunlight. The fan blades (1) will normally provide this function for theopen top (25) area, however if additional coverage is desired a pulloverfabric cover (30) is provided. Air flow will be significantly reducedwith cover in place.

[0018] The umbrella support pole (10) is supported by the table top(16), through which it protrudes through a hole (17) down into aweighted base (31). The table is supported by multiple legs (15).

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, the full embodiment is viewed from the topshowing the open top (25), the upper portion of the fan/umbrella supportstructure (3), multi fan blades (1), upper ribbing support ring (20) androtating connection (21) to upper ribbing support (19). The lowerribbing (22) is shown by dashed lines. The weather proof motors (2)direction is controlled by the fan direction switch (26). Fabric (4)covers the entire surface with the exception of the open top (25).

[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the full embodiment is shown in the loweredposition with the primary emphasis being placed on the rotatingconnection (21), the open top (25) and the fan/support structure (3).

What is claimed as my invention is:
 1. The umbrella structure designed in a manner as to leave the top fabric removed with the fan supported centrally allowing for maximum air flow.
 2. A fan mounted integrally within the umbrella structure such that the umbrella folds around the fan blades without the need to fold the blades up or down or remove the umbrella entirely from the fan.
 3. A circular upper support ring (20) that secures the upper umbrella support ribbing, in which the ribbing support rotates around during opening and closing. 